Courtyard House: Report enemy agents at the start, and you'll take off immediately.

After considering for a moment, Director Yang replied:

"Don't underestimate it; this thing has a wide range of applications and a broad scope."

“I think we can set up a separate workshop to make these pencil sharpeners.”

Deputy Factory Director Li continued:

"Not only farmers, but also students, workers, and people of other professions use pens and notebooks frequently."

“Pencils are the most commonly used material right now, so I think we should report this situation to headquarters as soon as possible.”

"Then we'll have a meeting to discuss it."

Director Lei nodded in agreement:

"Yes, your thoughts are the same as mine."

"Well, it's almost lunchtime. Let's go to a private room and talk in more detail."

"Comrade Zhao De, you should come along too."

On the way, Director Lei said to Zhao De:

"Comrade Zhao De, I am confident in the approval of this pencil sharpener project."

"Once you pass, you will receive the rewards and certificates you are entitled to."

"By the way, what is your current professional title?"

This question was actually directed at Director Yang, who immediately replied:

"Comrade Zhao De is a third-level blacksmith."

......................

Director Lei nodded in agreement:

"Then we can let Comrade Zhao De take on more responsibility!"

Factory Director Yang immediately understood.

He knew that there were strict regulations for promotion from level three to level four, requiring five years of service in the factory.

Zhao De is in his sixth year this year, which not only meets the requirements but also exceeds them by one year.

With this in mind, Director Yang decided to wait until the pencil sharpener project was approved.

A meeting was held right there in the factory to discuss Zhao De's promotion.

If the project is approved, he personally believes it will be a good opportunity to combine Zhao De's previous achievements in capturing enemy agents.

It would be very appropriate for him to serve as the director of the pencil sharpener workshop.

After all, he invented this product.

When everyone arrived at the reserved private room, Zhao De noticed that Xu Damao had also come along.

Xu Damao's appearance was unexpected, yet it made perfect sense.

After all, he was good at creating a lively atmosphere, flattering superiors, and even showing movies to leaders.

However, Xu Damao was not in a good mood at the moment.

The reason was simple: Zhao De had once again rendered meritorious service.

It's said that this is because of the invention of something called a pencil sharpener.

This made Xu Damao extremely uncomfortable.

While he himself kept getting into bad luck, Zhao De seemed to have a string of good fortune. It's truly baffling!

......................

"Come on, let's drink, boss. I have a rule when it comes to drinking—one large cup and three small cups."

Xu Damao's words piqued Director Lei's curiosity: "What does 'one big, three small' mean?"

"It means you drink one cup, and I'll drink three."

The "big" and "small" that Xu Damao mentioned did not refer to the size of the wine glass, but rather implied his job rank.

Any leader who understands the meaning behind it will be very pleased to hear it.

"Well done, young comrade, you're quite decisive!"

Director Lei laughed heartily, then picked up a glass of baijiu and drank it all in one gulp.

In an era of food scarcity, wine brewed from grains was naturally very precious and rare.

Therefore, everyone can only legitimately indulge in drinking under the guise of work.

Director Lei was like this, and Xu Damao was no exception.

......................

Then, Director Lei downed his glass of baijiu in one gulp.

Xu Damao also downed three cups without hesitation.

Zhao De sat to the side and looked inconspicuous.

He remembered that Lou Xiao'e had asked Xu Damao to go to the street office this afternoon last night.

If Xu Damao was unable to go.

Zhao De was very curious to see how Lou Xiao'e would deal with Xu Damao.

At this moment, Zhao De was still unaware of Xu Damao's infidelity.

Xu Damao has been having a lot of bad luck lately, so he's been drowning his sorrows in alcohol.

They drink quickly and forcefully.

Soon, he became drunk and started talking nonsense, completely oblivious to his surroundings.

......................

Xu Damao's drinking manners are indeed poor.

You can see it in the original story.

Look at him, pointing at Director Lei and shouting:

"Fine, let's get a divorce. You say I cheated on you? I'll expose all the dirty secrets in your family!"

Then he pointed to Zhao De:

"Why? What makes you so arrogant? It's just that you caught a spy."

"I can catch one too. I'll catch one for you to see someday."

At this point, everyone around realized that something was wrong.

Director Yang and Deputy Director Li's expressions immediately turned grim.

......................

Zhao De, quick-witted, immediately went over and grabbed Xu Damao, saying:

“Boss, we live in the same compound. That’s just how he is. Once he drinks, he doesn’t know who he is anymore.”

As he spoke, Zhao De grabbed Xu Damao by the collar.

I slapped him twice across the face, and I felt so good!

Serves you right for causing trouble, for being jealous, for ruining my blind date!

"Da Mao, sober up, this is not the place for you to act crazy while drunk."

As he spoke, Zhao De slapped Xu Damao several more times, knocking him unconscious.

Seeing this, Director Yang and Deputy Director Li breathed a sigh of relief.

It's good that he's passed out; he won't cause any more trouble.

Besides, the dishes on the table haven't been touched much.

We can't let Xu Damao's actions ruin everything.

Director Lei's complexion was already not good.

But as Zhao De slapped him a few times, the displeasure in his heart gradually dissipated.

......................

Then, everyone naturally enjoyed the meal while chatting and laughing.

During the visit, Director Lei even questioned Sha Zhu about the taste of the dishes.

Although Master Li's private kitchen skills are not as good as Sha Zhu's, they are still quite unique.

It can only be said that he is second only to Sha Zhu, and Director Lei also expressed his satisfaction with this.

After the dinner, Zhao De returned to the workshop to continue working.

Xu Damao was carried by several colleagues to a wooden chair in the publicity department.

As for when he would wake up or how long he would sleep, no one paid any attention to that anymore.